My moments…some are teachable, some are merely moments

10 Foods You Must Eat in Europe

Pasta, pizza, pastries…Hungry? Why wait? Don’t grab a Snickers, hop on a plane to Europe. Read on for 10 foods you must eat in Europe.

1. Tapas in Seville

I know, I know…tapas, such a general term. Well, I said tapas because I couldn’t narrow it down to just one. Tapas are more of an experience than a food. Eslava in Seville serves award-winning tapas. Go hungry and taste as many tapas as you can!

2. Dutch pancakes in Amsterdam

I had no clue what to expect when I saw a pancake burger on the menu. I was skeptical, but I’m so glad I took the plunge. If you’re in Amsterdam, head over to De Vier Pilaren for some sweet and savory pancakes. I didn’t get a chance to try the poffertjes because I was stuffed, but they looked equally delicious.

3. Baba in the Amalfi Coast

Baba au Rhum, or Rum Baba, is best described as a spongy dessert topped with rum. Instead of a bakery, I ordered this at a bar one night and the generous bartender poured two shots of rum on top. No complaints over here. It was hard to find this tasty treat outside of the Amalfi Coast, so if you’re there, make sure you drink eat up!

4. Mushrooms in La Rioja

Garlic-infused mushrooms, topped with shrimp, all stacked on top of a piece of bread. To date, these are the best mushrooms I’ve tasted! I came across these mushrooms when I decided to embark on a self-guided tapa crawl in Rioja. If you’re in the area, visit Bar Angel where they specialize in mushrooms. Thank me later!

5. Pastel de Nata in Lisbon

Usually, I’m not a fan of anything with a custard consistency. These pastries, however, won me over; I’m still bummed I only ordered one. When in Lisbon, you can enjoy these tasty treats at Pastéis de Belém…be prepared to play musical chairs as you search for a table. Trust me, the scramble will be worth it…plus you might work up an appetite.

6. Pasta in Florence

In Florence, I spent a day making pasta, tossing pizza, and drinking tons of wine. This brings me to the best pasta I had in Italy, which was hand made by me; I really thought I was Chef Curry with the pasta. Having a hand in preparing the pasta made it taste even better! Check out a class and start cooking.

7. Salmon in Porto

The fish in Porto is so fresh! For this particular dish, I visited Antigua Casa Ze da Guida, which is located near the water. The fish comes with a delicious side salad and of course I had to top it off with a glass of sangria. I went to this restaurant 3 times in 5 days…clearly I was a fan!

8. Dutch Apple Pie in Amsterdam

Okay, Amsterdam tops the list again. It’s called Dutch apple pie for a reason. For a good slice of pie, head to Winkel 43. The only thing that would’ve made this better is having it served hot. Still, my mouth is watering just looking at this picture.

9. Churros con Chocolate in Madrid

When I think of churros, I think of fried dough covered in cinnamon and sugar. In Spain, they take away the cinnamon and replace it with chocolate. The jury’s still out on the best place to grab churros in Madrid. When in doubt, try them all!

10. Francesinha in Porto

Last but not least, Porto’s signature dish. A sandwich with layers of meat (yes, layers), topped with an egg, cheese, and special sauce. Admittedly, I was not mentally prepared to tackle this sandwich. Francesinha – 1, Marissa – 0.

Hungry yet? I know I am! I’d consider going back just to taste these dishes again, yum! Hope you’re able to try these 10 foods the next time you’re in Europe.

I love to eat and food is one of the main reasons why I love to travel. There are still several things I have to try from your list. For example, I have been to Portugal and I know the food is delicious there. Spain is one of my favorite countries but I still need to visit the south.